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Treatment for Melanoma

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment option for melanoma removal. Each surgery is different and depends on individual factors, including the size, depth, and location of the cancer, as well as the overall health of the patient. Superficial melanomas - the thinnest and most shallow lesions - are removed by surgical excision, on an outpatient basis, using only local anesthetic. The success rate is very high, while the risk of recurrence is very low.

As melanoma invades the skin more deeply, the risk of the disease spreading to a lymph node increases. In those cases, at the time of surgical removal of the melanoma, our surgeons will also remove one or two lymph nodes. This is known as sentinel lymph node biopsy which looks for cancer that has spread beyond the original area to nearby lymph nodes.

The procedure involving both removal of the melanoma and sentinel lymph node biopsy is done in the OR, on an outpatient basis, using general anesthetic. If the lymph node biopsy comes back negative, usually you will not require further treatment. If it is positive, you will likely need more surgery to remove the remaining cancerous lymph nodes.

Care for Advanced Melanoma

If your cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or beyond to other internal organs, our medical oncologists will discuss the use of additional treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and treatment protocols available through a clinical trial.

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